FL S1724

Creates section 409.1754 requiring the Department of Children and Families to develop screening and assessment instruments for identifying sexually exploited children and determining appropriate placements in safe houses or safe foster homes, considering factors such as risk of running away, trauma levels, and substance abuse.

Establishes certification requirements for safe houses and safe foster homes, including 24-hour awake staff, single-sex grouping, security measures, and comprehensive services such as victim counseling, behavioral health care, education, and life skills training.

Requires specialized training for child protective investigators, case managers, juvenile probation staff, and law enforcement officials who work with sexually exploited children, and mandates multidisciplinary staffings to coordinate services across systems.

Creates the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking within the Department of Legal Affairs with representatives from state agencies, legislature, and victim services professionals to develop recommendations for programs and services to combat trafficking.

Directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct a study on commercial sexual exploitation of children in Florida, assessing prevalence, service gaps, and effectiveness of residential placement options, with annual reports beginning July 1, 2015.